Lapping machine



April 23, 1935. w. D. RUNDLETT LAPPING MACHINE 4 SheetS -Sheet 1 Filed May 22, 1951 M Q hm Nu ha a April 23, 1935. w. D. RUNDLETT LAPPING MACHINE Filed May 22, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet w i 2 n3 NM RN i Q 3 m3 April 23, 1935. w. D. RUNDLETT LAPP INQ MACHINE Filed May 22, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 A ril 23, 1935. w. D. RUNDLETT LAPPING MACHINE Filed May 22, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 A TTORNE Y.

Patented Apr. 23, 1935 UNITED STATES LAPPIN G MACHINE William D. Rundlett, North Adams, Mass, assignor to The James Hunter Machine Company, North Adams, Massachusetts Mass, a corporation of Application May 22, 1931, Serial No. 539,291

18 Claims.

The invention relates to lapping machines of the class frequently called Blamires in which a lap is formed on an apron travelling on a carriage, which is itself traversed at right angles to 6 its travel below the discharge-end of the delivery apron of a Garnett or similar fleece-forming machine; and the resulting lap is rolled up about a shaft or core at the discharge-end of the lapapron, into the wound mass forming the familiar l lap-roll employed in a variety of subsequent processes.

A leading object is to produce an improved lap, with respect to uniformity and compactness of winding, desired degree of density, and freedom from licking up, tearing or splitting of the lap-layer as it is unwound from the lap-roll, as frequently occurs in ordinary practice by reason of interengagement of upstanding fibers at the contacting surfaces of superposed turns.

This and other objects and advantages are attained largely by pressing or calendering the laplayer as or just after it leaves the apron, and before it is wound about the core, thus to a desired extent uniformly compressing and compacting or condensing the composite lap-layer, and at the same time smoothing or pressingdown any loose or upstanding fibers; the lap is thus conditioned for compact and uniform winding, without interengagement of outstanding fibers,

and will unroll (in the next process of fiber-treatment, or other utilization of the lap) without edge-tearing, splitting, or other defects ordinarily caused by fiber-interengagement.

A further important object is to provide lap pressing, condensing, or calendering means or mechanism, and other necessary or coordinated features or arrangements, of character suitable for installation on the lap-carriage itself; or as otherwise stated, to provide pressing and condensing mechanism of simplified and improved character,

adapted for machines of the Blamires type, in

which the lap is rolled up by winding or traction rolls on the lap-carriage, and the calendering mechanism and incidental parts or mechanism must also be located on the carriage.

The fibers composing the lap are ordinarily directed principally transversely of its length (and of the lap-apron, as well, with respect to direction of apron travel) so that the lap has no considerable tensile strength in the lengthwise direction) the lap is also substantially elongated by the compressing operation; and the invention includes provision for driving various parts, and especially the apron, pressing roll and winding drum or 55 drums, at different and proper relative speeds,

and for readily varying the ratios when necessary, in order to compensate for the elongation-factor without imposing tensile strain upon the lap, and to wind it inv uniformly compact roll form.

It is important to compress the lap at a point 8 (i. e. on a transverse line or zone) close to the winding reel, in order to avoid reexpansion caused by the natural elasticity of the fibers and entrance of air which will permit such expansion if the compressed lap travels any considerable distance 10 before winding; and also important to compress between smooth surfaces, to avoid formation of transverse lines or zones of different densities. For these purposes, in a preferred embodiment, the lap-apron at its delivery end passes about a 15 pulley adjacent and distinct from the first traction or winding drum, and this latter has a smooth surface, and the smooth pressing roll compresses the lap against this winding surface (which also supports the lap-roll, in cooperation with the 20 second traction or winding drum). Compression is thus effected close to the point of initial winding, and there is insufficient time for access of air and any considerable reexpansion of the lap. This is in distinction from common practice, in 25 which the delivery portion of the slatted lap-apron is carried about the first winding axis and the cylindrical corrugated apron-surface itself constitutes the initial winding or traction surface and supports one-half of the weight of the lap-roll 30 tending to produce an undesired corrugatedcompression of the material as it is wound; also if definite compression of the lap before winding were attempted with this apron arrangement, the pressing roll would necessarily work against the corrugated apron-surface, with undesired variable compression of the lap, as sufliciently referred to above.

Provision is also made for varying the linear speed of the lap-apron, in order to vary the thick- 40 ness of the lap, or number of superposed layers at any point, deposited by the fleece apron in diagonal courses on the lap-apron, while maintaining the desired and established ratios of rate of feed of lap to rate of winding to compensate for elongation resulting from the calendaring action.

A further object of the invention comprises the provision of improved means for securing a reliable and uniform driving movement for the lapapron and the pressing and winding devices without the use of the usual resort to devices such as ratchet-levers or extended inclined surfaces fixed on the floor and alternately exposed and covered by the carriage in its traverse, which present a serious hazard to attendants in working about the moving carriage.

To this end, the invention provides novel devices for deriving this necessary driving movement from the movement of the carriage, comprising flexible means having a portion engaged with the floor or other fixed structure and other portions combined with the carriage so as to be included in the width thereof and hence always shielded by the carriage in its traverse. In its preferred form, the flexible means comprises an endless belt, desiredly a chain, having one run.

rail 9, and ratchet mechanisms 31 which act alternately, during the alternate directions of carriage travel, to rotate a gear 39 on a stubshaft 4|, always in the same direction, as indicated by the arrow 43. A sprocket 45 (Figs. 1 and 3) is connected to revolve with gear 39, and is itself connected by a chain 4-! to a. sprocket 49 revolving about a stub-shaft Sprocket 49 is secured irrevolubly on the hub of another sprocket 53, which rotates on the stub-shaft 5|, and sprocket 53 is connected by a chain 55 to a sprocket 51, which has a hub or sleeve 59 turning secured to the floor beneath the carriage midon a short shaft 6|. This is fixed on an adjustway of the latters traverse, and running over pulleys or sprockets, at least one of which is connected through suitable driving connections to feed the apron and drive the rolls as a result of the movement of the other run of the belt with respect to the carriage as the latter is traversed.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the delivery or lapwinding end of a carriage and lap-apron, showing the winding and pressing rolls, and driving means therefor, embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same end of the carriage, viewed from the rear.

Fig. 3 is a section at line 3, 3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a section at line 4, I, Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an axial section of one of the ratchetdrive devices.

Fig. 6 is a section at line 6, 6, Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a developed section at line I, I, Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1, showing the novel lap-apron driving devices.

Fig. 9 is a side view of the carriage, showing the novel lap-apron drive.

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section on line l8, III, of Fig. 9.

Figs. 1 and 2 show the delivery end of a lapcarriage substantially as shown and described in my copending application for U. S. patent filed April 4, 1930, Serial No. 441,629, including sideframe members I having end-castings 3 secured thereto, supporting wheels 5 and I running on a rail 9 secured to the floor, and the continuous, slatted lap-apron l3, running around roll 8| on shaft 83. At the opposite end of the apron (not shown) the carriage is similarly supported by wheels running on a floor-rail, and the apron passes about an idler-pulley. The carriage is traversed to and fro on its rails, by any suitable or known means, below the delivery-rolls |5 at the discharge end of a fleece-apron l1, (Fig. 1), .of'a Garnett or other machine, moving in the direction of carriage travel, and the lap-apron is moved progressively in the direction of the arrow l9, Fig. 1, whereby the fleece is deposited in diagonal courses, to the required thickness, on the lap-apron, as usual in machines of this class.

The lap, after separation from the apron, is wound into a roll 29 (or cylindrical lap) supported in usual manner by the joint action of a first winding roll or drum 2| and a second roll or drum 23, carried respectively by shafts 25 and 21 mounted in bearings in frame-members 3, about a core or shaft 3|, which is revolubly and vertically guided by spaced upright guide-bars 33.

While any known or suitable initial driving means may be employed for the apron and winding rolls, preferably in some cases, as here shown, these parts are primarily driven by or from the shaft 35 of one of the supporting wheels 5, which has positive toothed engagement with its tracking or shifting lever 63, mounted to oscillate at or about the axis of stub-shaft 5|, and secured in adjusted position by a clamp-nut 55 on a bolt 61 which passes through a slot 99 in a carriage frame-member .H. A pinion 13 is demountably held by a swing-latch on sprocket sleeve 59 and is caused to turn therewith by a pin 11 projecting from the sprocket. Pinion 13 engages a large gear I9 fixed on shaft of the first winding-roll 2|, completing the driving train from wheel-shaft to the winding roll. By substituting other pinions I3 of different diameters (and appropriate adjustment of lever 83) the drive-ratio (or speed) of the first winding roll may be varied.

As so far described, the lap-apron, winding roll, and driving mechanism or arrangements are substantially as disclosed in my pending application Serial No. 441,629, filed April 4, 1930, except that in said application the lap-apron passes about and is driven by the first winding roll (or pulleys on a shaft corresponding to present shaft 25 which supports the first winding roll). Thus in the application structure the laproll is partially supported upon and driven by the delivery portion of the slatted lap-apron, passing about the axis of shaft 25. application-disclosure lacks means for compressing, calendering or like treatment of the lap, previous to winding; such operation provided for as an important feature of the present inven tion may conveniently be referred to as pre compressing".

The features of construction and arrangement constituting the invention, in combination with other features above referred to, or in addition to or regardless thereof, are now described:

Lap-apron l3 at its delivery end passes about and is supported and driven by a roll or pulleys 8| fixed on a shaft 83, which is mounted in bearings in frame-members 3. The delivery end of the apron is thus located a moderate distance rearward of (anterior to) the first winding roll 2|, which preferably has a smooth (non-corrugated) surface.

A pressing or calendering roll 85 is carried by a shaft 81 revolving in bearing-blocks 89 which are mounted for movement toward and from the axis of the first winding-roll 2|, in guide-slots 9| in frame-members 'I Springs 93 are adjustably compressed by screws 95 having hand-wheels 91, against the bearing-blocks to urge the blocks and the compressing roll toward roll 2|, to an extent adjustably limited by stop-screws 99 (Fig. 2) which engage the lower faces of the bearingblocks. Screws 95 are threaded through crosspieces |8| at the upper ends of the guide-channels'9l, and screws 99 engage in threaded holes in the frame-members H at the lower ends of the channels or guide-slots 9|, and are secured in adjusted position by lock-nut I03. The space between pressing-roll 85 and winding-roll 2|, through which the lap passes, and is compressed,

Also said The lap is elongated as a result of compressing between rolls 85 and 2I, the ratio of elongation varying with the thickness of the lap and also in accordance with the amount of pressure applied. Thus a thick lap tends to elongate more than a thinner one, and of course a greater squeeze will tend to lengthen a lap of given thickness, more than a lighter pressure. To allow for this elongation factor (and variations thereof), and to wind the lap into roll form with desired tightness and uniformity, and without imposing any tensional strains on the fibrous web, which has negligible tensile strength, as sufficiently explained early above, provision is made for driving the winding rolls and especially the first roll,

at suitably higher surface speed than that of the apron, and preferably, also, for driving the pressing roll 85 at the same surface speed as the first winding roll, with which it directly cooperates in the pressing action, and of course 0 therefore, at higher surface speed than the apron, and for conveniently changing these ratios, when or as necessary.

Provision is also made for positively driving the second winding roll 23, so that it assists in rotatively driving the lap-roll 29, preferably at a slightly higher surface speed than the first winding roll, as such increased speed has been found of help in securing tight lap-rolls, since the lap is also additionally somewhat compressed and elongated by pressure of the lap-roll on the first winding roll.

In the present arrangement, while the first winding-roll-shaft is of course not the primary driving element of the entire apron, pressing roll and Winding roll system, being itself driven by intermediate gearing including a change-speed device, from the primary driving-shaft 35, the first winding-shaft 25 is and may be identified as a main driving element, since the apron, pressing roll, and second winding roll are driven practically directly from it.

The second winding roll (i. e., its shaft 21) is positively driven from shaft 25 by sprockets I05 and II" on the respective shafts, and a chain I09, this mechanism being conveniently located at the same side of the carriage as the driving train leading from shaft 35 to shaft 25, as shown in Fig. 1. The slightly-increased surface speed of roll 23 (in comparison with roll 2I) maybe obtained by making sprocket I01 smaller by one tooth than its driving sprocket I05, or in some cases by making the diameter of roll 23 somewhat greater than that of roll 2|.

The second winding roll 23 preferably has a moderately corrugated surface, as sufficiently represented by the longitudinal grooves or channels III, to insure sufficient traction for retating the lap-roll.

The other driving connections, from shaft 25 to the apron-driving shaft 83 and to the pressing roll 85, are for simplicity and convenience, at the opposite side of the apron-carriage, as shown in Fig. 2, and also in the developed or horizontally-extended section, Fig. 7.

A sprocket H3 is fixed on the extended end of the first winding-roll shaft 25 (recently-above referred to as the main shaft) as by a key H5 and set-screw Ill, and this drives by a chain II9 a smaller sprocket I2I detachably fixed on the extended end of apron-drive shaft 83, as by a key I23 and set-screw I25. Means is desirably provided for adjustably taking up slack in chain II9, especially since the amount of slack may vary incident to changes in drive-ratio between shaf 25 and 83, effected preferably by changing he small sprocket I2I. For this purpose an idler sprocket I2! is revolubly mounted on a stub-shaft I29, which is movably secured in a slot I 3I in frame-piece 3. The sprocket I21 just referred to as an idler, and of smaller diameter (number of teeth) is however adapted for mounting and securing on shaft 83, in substitution for sprocket I2 I, which may then be placed on stubshaft I29 to act as the idler; and in this case the change in drive-ratio of the apron may be effected without repositioning the idler shaft, since the effective length (or slack) of the chain is not affected. Any desired number of sprockets may be provided, each with a set-screw I25 or other means for securing it on shaft 83, and of different tooth-numbers, to afford any desired range of variation of apron drive, one of these extra sprockets being placed on the idler shaft I29 in engagement with the chain to take up slack, while the other spares may be placed inactively on the outward portion of the shaft, conveniently available for ratio-changing; and whenever the substitution of a sprocket on shaft 83 occasions a variation in chain-slack, the stub-shaft I 29 is repositioned accordingly.

The pressing roll 85 is driven by a sprocket I33 fixed on the first winding-roll shaft 25, and a chain I35 which also passes about a smaller sprocket I31, detachably fixed, as by a set-screw I39, on the extended hub or bearing-sleeve I4I of a pinion I43. This pinion revolves on a stubcounter-shaft I45, and is retained thereon by a cotter-pin I41. The stub-shaft is movably secured in a slot I49 in frame-piece II. The pinion I43 engages another pinion I 5|, which is fixed, as by a set-screw I53, on the projecting end of pressing-roll shaft 81. Pinions I43 and I5I may be of the same diameter. The drive ratio between shafts 25 and 81 may be chosen (with due regard to the respective roll-diameters) to drive these rolls, usually, at the same surface speed; and since this ratio is practically a constant, a change is seldom needed, but if necessary, may be effected by substitution of another sprocket I31, of different tooth-number. The adjustment of the stub-countershaft I45 in a direction parallel to a line intersecting the axes of shafts 25 and 81, is principally for the purpose of engaging pinion I43 properly with pinion I5I, when the position of shaft 81 is changed, as and for purposes sufficiently explained above. Shaft 81 has in operation little or no cross-axial movement in relation to shaft I45 and proper pinion-mesh may therefore be maintained without movement of the stubshaft.

It will now be understood that ordinarily, or in many cases, variation of apron speed in relation to speed of travel of the carriage, (to effect change in thickness of the lap as formed thereon) may be effected merely by substituting another pinion 13 on sprocket-sleeve 59, of proper diameter, and repositioning the swinging arm or lever 63 to properly mesh the pinion with gear I9, thus changing the speed-ratio of shaft 25 to the rate of carriage travel, without necessarily changing the drive-ratio between such shaft 25 and the apron-drive shaft 83. If it becomes necessary to change this drive-ratio, however, to compensate for change in lap-thickness, or in the amount of compression, and consequent change in the amount of elongation of the lap due to compression, as occasioned, for example, by changing the spaced relation of pressing-roll 85 to the first winding-roll 2|, such change in the drive-ratio between the belt-apron and shaft 25 may be effected by substituting another sprocket l2l on shaft 83, as sufiiciently above explained; the

drive-ratio of the pressing-roll to the first winding roll being ordinarily a constant, this ratio will usually not have to be changed, as also previously stated.

In operation, with any particular drive-ratio arrangements, suitable to lap-thickness and amount of compression, the lap is separated from the surface of the apron as the latter travels about its drive-pulleys on shaft 83, and thence the lap passes to and into the bite of rolls 85 and 2 I, where it is calendered, pressed and condensed, while upstanding fibers are rolled or pressed down, and the lap is incidentally elongated; the conipressed layer then moves only a short distance along with the upper periphery of the first winding roll, running at a greater speed than the apron, proportional to the amount of elongation of the lap, and without tensional strain, and also without opportunity, on account of the short travel and time-element involved, to reexpand by accession of air, until the layer encounters the layer previously wound about the core or spool 29; the new layer (or portion of the lap) is thus wound onto the lap-roll, initially, between it and the smooth surface of the first winding-roll 2|, and incidentally somewhat additionally compressed, but without any irregularity of compression or corrugating effect, and then encounters the second winding roll, driven at slightly higher surface speed, and which applies sufficient driving traction to the lap-roll.

The rolled lap so produced is of superior quality, the individual composite layers (or turns) being properly and uniformly compressed and wound,

and when the lap is unrolled in a subsequent operation, there is no tendency, or a greatly reduced tendency to edge-tearing, splitting, etc. of the lap layers, because of absence of interlocking action of outstanding fibers at the time of rolling into lap forni as sufficiently further explained hereinabove.

The novel means for utilizing the traversing movement of the carriage to produce the necessary driving movement for the lap-apron and the pressing and winding device is shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. In the preferred form illustrated it comprises an endless chain 2 having a link 4 in its lower run provided with an integral post Ii which is secured by screw 8 in the interior bore of a hub lflattached by its flange l2 and bolts l4 to the floor IE or other fixed support. The chain 2 passes around a sprocket i8 arranged to drive shaft 35, which as previously described, acts through the alternately and oppositely working ratchets 31 to drive the lap-aron l3, the pressing roll 85, and the winding-rolls 2| and 23 through the train of gearing described hereinbefore. At the opposite end of its run, the chain 2 passes around an idler sprocket 20 rotatable on stud-shaft 22 mounted in a hanger 24 applied to the portion 30f the carriage shown in Fig. 2, i. e., the rear of the carriage. Shaft 22 is adjustable in slot 26 in the hanger to adjust the chain tension. In this form of drive, the spiked wheel of Fig. 1 is replaced by a plain wheel 28 mounted on an axle 30 rotating in bearings in the hanger 32, and the shaft 35 is wholly independent of this wheel 28 and its axle, the end toward the wheel being supported in the hub of a hanger 34 bolted to the piece 3 at 38 and provided with a rearwardly extending arm 38 in which is fixed by nut 40 a. shouldered stud 42 on which rotates freely the pinion 44. This pinion drives gear 48 keyed to shaft 35 and secured thereon by setscrew 48. The sprocket I8 is keyed and setscrewed to the sleeve 50 of pinion 44.

Thus, when the carriage is traversed in wellknown manner, as through the traverse drive of my aforesaid application Serial No. 528,630, filed April 8, 1931, the lower run of the chain 2 is held from movement with the carriage, and the chain travels around sprocket l8 first in one direction and then in the other, imparting through pinion 44 and gear 45 a rotation first in one direction and then in the other to shaft 35 which is translated by the ratchets as a progressive driving movement in one direction only, to the train of gearing which drives the lap-apron l3 and the winding and pressing rolls.

It will be seen that the chain constitutes in effect a flexible rack, which never exceeds the length of the carriage in extent, its effective length being always limited to the width of the carriage regardless of the latters position, and hence shielded thereby, and avoids leaving any obstruction or entanglement on the floor to trip or injure the attendant in working .over the carriage while in motion. Location of the point of anchorage of the chain to the fioor at mid-length of the traverse of the carriage ensures that such anchorage will never be exposed from under the carriage even when the latter is operating at its maximum traverse.

While I have illustrated and described certain forms in which the invention may be embodied,

-I am aware that many modifications may be made therein by any person skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to the particular forms shown, or to the details of construction thereof, but what I do claim is:

l. The combination with a traversing carriage, and lap-apron and lap-winding rolls thereon, of means cooperating with a winding roll to compress the lap closely adjacent and anterior to its winding-contact with the wound mass, and means for driving the winding rolls at a surface speed greater than, and for winding on the lap at a speed faster than, that of the lap anterior to the compressing zone, whereby to take up the lapelongation caused by such compression.

2. The combination with a traversing carriage, and lap-apron and lap-winding rolls thereon, of means to compress the lap between two smooth surfaces just before its winding-contact with the wound mass, and means for driving the winding rolls at a surface speed greater than that of the lap anterior to such compressing zone, whereby to take up the lap-elongation caused by compression.

3. The combination with a traversing carriage, and lap-apron and lap-winding rolls thereon, of means cooperating with the first winding roll to compress the lap closely adjacent its windingcontact with the wound mass: means for driving the winding rolls, and means for driving the apron at a lower speed than the winding rolls proportioned to lap-elongation produced by compression.

4. In a lapping machine in combination, a traversing carriage having thereon winding-rolls, a lap-apron, a compressing roll, means for driving the apron, and means for driving the windingrolls at a relatively-greater speed than the apron.

5. A lapping machine comprising a carriage and thereon winding-rolls, a lap-apron, a compressing roll, means for driving the apron, and means for driving the winding rolls and the compressing roll at a relatively-greater speed than the apron.

6. A lapping machine comprisinga carriage and thereon a lap-apron, a winding-roll, a pressing roll, a driving pulley for the apron distinct from and anterior to the winding-roll, and driving means including means for driving the winding and pressing rolls and for driving the aprondriving pulley at a slower speed than such rolls.

7. A lapping machine comprises a reciprocating carriage, a lap-apron, a winding-roll and a pressing roll on the carriage, a main driving member connected to drive the winding and pressing rolls and to drive the apron at a slower relative speed than the rolls, a primary driving member operated by carriage movement, and a connection including speed-changing means between the primary and main driving members.

8. A lapping machine comprising a reciprocating carriage and thereon, a winding-roll and shaft, a lap-apron, and an .apron drive-shaft about which the delivery end of the apron passes adjacent and anterior to the winding-roll, a primary driving member operated by carriage movement, a driving connection from said primary driving member to the winding-roll-shaft, a driving connection from the winding-roll-shaft to the apron-drive shaft, and an independent driving connection from the winding-roll-shaft to the pressing-roll-shaft.

9. The combination with a traversing carriage, and a lap-apron thereon, of a chain anchored to a fixed point, an apron-driving shaft travelling with the carriage, and a sprocket driving such shaft engaging with and rotated by the chain as the carriage is traversed.

10. The combination with a traversing carriage, and a lap-apron thereon, of an endless chain anchored to a fixed point, an apron-driving shaft travelling with the carriage, and a sprocket driving the shaft and rotated through the rela-' tive movement between the carriage and the chain as the carriage is traversed.

11. The combination with a traversing carriage, and a lap-apron thereon, an endless chain carried by the carriage and movable thereon, means fixing a portion of the chain against movement with the carriage, an apron-driving shaft travelling with the carriage, and a sprocket driven by the chain and driving the shaft.

12. The combination with a traversing carriage, and a lap-apron thereon, of a flexible element anchored to a fixed point, and apron-driving means travelling with the carriage and driven by such element through relative movement of the carriage with respect to such element.

13. The combination with a traversing carriage, and a lap-apron thereon, of apron-driving means including a rotary drive-element travelling with the carriage, and an element substantially coextensive at all times with the carriagelength, engaging ,the rotary drive-element and having a portion held from movement with the carriage..

14. The combination with a traversing carriage and roll-winding devices thereon, of driving means for such devices travelling with the carriage and including a rotary drive-element, and a flexible element having a portion'fixed against movement with the carriage, and imparting rotation to the rotary drive-element as a result of the traversing movement of the carriage.

15. The combination with a traversing carriage, lap- -winding rolls and a lap-apron terminating short of the lap-winding rolls, both borne by the carriage, of means cooperating with a lapwinding roll to compress the superposed plies forming the lap against the roll after the lap has left the apron and anterior to and closely adjacent the laps winding-contact with the wound mass.

16. The combination with a traversing carriage, lap-winding rolls and a lap-apron terminating short of the lap-winding rolls, both borne by the carriage, of a roll cooperating with a winding roll to compress the lap against the surface of the winding roll after the lap has left the apron and anterior to the laps contact with the wound mass.

17. In a Blamires lapper, the combination with a traversing carriage, a lap-apron thereon receiving the folded lap and feeding it transversely of the extent of the fibers composing such lap, and lap-winding rolls also on the carriage, of a roll compressing the lap against a lap-winding roll anterior to its contact with the wound mass and feeding the lap, and driven through carriage movement.

18. In a Blamires lapper, the combination with a traversing carriage, a lap-apron thereon receiving the folded lap and feeding it transversely of the extent of the fibers composing said lap,

and lap-winding rolls also on the carriage, of a 

